Breathing New Life into Children’s Tales: A Guide to Crafting Original and Engaging Picture Book Narratives
In the enchanting realm of children’s picture books, creativity is the key to unlocking the hearts and imaginations of young readers. While certain tropes have become staples in this genre, relying too heavily on clichés can make a story feel predictable and uninspired, and can hurt book sales. Here, we delve into 14 common clichés and offer innovative alternatives and ideas to help you create a standout children’s book that resonates with its audience.
1. Talking Animals with a Twist
Talking animals are a beloved staple in children’s literature. And for good reason! Children love stories where they can relate to the main character, which is often a child or an animal. However, to stand out and avoid the trap of monotony, it’s helpful to give your animal characters more than just the gift of speech. Consider using unique traits, elements, or locations to add depth to your characters and keep young readers engaged:
- animals with unexpected hobbies or interests
- animals in unusual settings
- animals with human-like problems, offering relatable life lessons
- talking animals interacting with mythical creatures in a shared universe
- animals who communicate in unique ways, like through dance or art
2. Moral Lessons with Subtlety
While moral stories are important, overt lessons can feel preachy, especially in children’s picture books. Children love books because they’re fun and entertaining, not because they teach them a moral lesson. So instead of being as subtle as a sledgehammer, try to weave values into your narrative subtly. Worried your story is too preachy? Explore these ideas:
- weave morals in the narrative through the actions and consequences of your characters
- use humor and irony to teach lessons
- create morally ambiguous situations to encourage critical thinking
- offer multiple perspectives on moral issues
- illustrate morals through natural consequences rather than preaching
3. The Magical Adventure Reinvented
Magic is a wondrous element and can add a whole new dimension to your story, but it needs a unique spin to stand out. A fresh perspective can turn a typical magical quest into a journey of self-discovery and wonder. Try to:
- focus on small, everyday magic instead of grandiose magical worlds
- blend magic with science or technology in a new and unique way
- create a magical world with its own rules and logic
- explore the consequences of magic in a real-life setting
- use magic that evolves or changes based on characters’ emotions or growth
4. The Misunderstood Monster Reimagined
Children’s books featuring monsters – it’s nothing new. You’d be hard-pressed to find an adult who didn’t spend at least some time giggling their way through There’s A Monster At the End of This Book as a kid. To avoid falling into the trope of the misunderstood monster, play around by adding layers to the character’s backstory or by flipping the narrative. Some other ideas include:
- monsters with relatable fears and insecurities
- a unique story told from the perspective of the monster
- monsters placed in modern, everyday settings and situations
- monsters with unusual, non-threatening traits
- friendships between monsters and humans, focusing on mutual understanding
5. Empowering the Princess
Oh, the damsel in distress. Thankfully, we’ve see less of this trope in recent decades, but what if you just can’t see your story without it? Rather than building a story around a princess who needs saving, flipping the script can tell a princess story in a new and modern way, empowering young readers and promoting gender equality in storytelling. Some ideas to ponder:
- build princesses as leaders or changemakers in their communities
- focus on intelligence, wit, or creativity – not physical rescue
- place princesses in non-traditional roles, like scientists or explorers
- make your princesses multi-dimensional with flows and unique growth arcs
- write about princesses from diverse cultures and backgrounds
6. Twisting Time-Tested Fairy Tales
Fairy Tales are classic for a reason, so how can you make it modern and relatable? Trying to reimagine fairy tales is a creative exercise, but if you get it right, you’ll find a way to retain the charm of the original while offering something new. Here are some ideas:
- place a classic fairy tale in a modern-day setting
- flip the script by swapping roles of heroes and villains
- modernize fairy tales by integrating technology or current social issues
- explore lesser known fairy tales or those from other parts of the world
- try merging two or more fairy tales in an unexpected way
7. Beyond the “Dream” Ending
Tempting as it is, it’s best to avoid the cliché of “it was all a dream.” Instead, let the fantastical elements of your story impact the real world of the characters, showing that imagination and reality can coexist and enrich each other. Why not try:
- endings that lead to real-world change or impact
- ambiguous endings that leave room for interpretation
- parallel worlds where dreams and reality intersect
- dreams that offer deep insights or solve real problems
- endings where the dream world has its own reality
8. The Sidekick with Substance
Batman and Robin, Mario and Luigui – sidekicks can add a little extra to your children’s book. Keep things fresh to add depth to the narrative and provides more avenues for engagement. Here are some ideas to explore:
- create sidekicks with their own subplots and story arcs
- consider sidekicks who challenge or complement the main character
- write about diverse sidekicks with unique backgrounds
- explore sidekicks who grow and change over the course of the story
- surprise your readers with sidekicks with unexpected skills or knowledge
9. Earning the Happy Ending
Instead of defaulting to a happy ending, consider more nuanced conclusions. Sometimes an unexpected conclusion can have a greater impact, encouraging young readers to think deeply about the story and its characters. Keep things fresh through:
- complex challenges that require real effort to overcome
- endings with a mix of positive and negative outcomes
- characters who grow and change to achieve their goals
- realistic resolutions that reflect life’s complexities
- happy endings that come with sacrifices or hard choices
10. Relatable Superhero Kids
Superheroes can make incredibly fun and exciting characters, but you need to make your story’s version stand out from the crowd. Here are some ideas to help you create unexpected heroes:
- superpowers with limitations or drawbacks
- facing everday problems despite having superpowers
- moral dilemmas related to the use of powers
- conflicts between characters stemming from their super abilities
- the need for teamwork and collaboration
11. The Bully’s Journey
Most children face a bully at some point or another, which is a good reason why children’s books will often feature these less-than-loveable characters. Rather than quickly redeeming a bully, develop their character to show a realistic transformation. This offers a more authentic narrative and teaches children about growth and change. Why not create:
- multi-dimensional bully characters with backstories
- bullying situations with complex resolutions
- stories that focus on the bully’s process of redemption and growth
- stories told from the bully’s perspective
- narratives exploring the root cause of the bullying behavior
12. The Unique Fantasy Setting
Children’s imaginations are perfect for diving deep into everything magical and mystical. To make your world more immersive and intriguing, and to distinguish your fantasy world from all the rest, consider:
- fantasy worlds based on non-Western cultures
- ecologically focused fantasy worlds
- societies with unique political or social structures
- fantasy worlds where magic affects technology
- worlds with unique flora, fauna, and geography
13. The Unexpected Mentor
The all-knowing, all-wise guide is a common character in children’s picture books. So instead of creating the typical wise elder, experiment with unconventional mentor figures to add freshness to your story’s guidance dynamic. Why not explore:
- young or peer mentors
- mentors with unconventional teaching methods
- flawed mentors who grow alongside the protagonist
- non-human mentors, like sentient animals or AI
- mentors who challenge rather than guide
14. Various Endings
Experiment with various endings – not just happy ones. Life’s complexities can be reflected in stories, teaching children resilience and empathy. Consider a unique ending such as:
- Open-ended narratives: Stories that don’t wrap up neatly, encouraging children to imagine their own endings.
- Multiple-choice endings: Let the readers decide how the story concludes, fostering interactive engagement.
- Life lessons rather than traditional conclusions: Focus on what the characters learn rather than a definitive end.
- Non-linear storytelling: Experiment with stories that don’t follow a traditional beginning-middle-end structure.
- Reflective endings: Conclusions that encourage young readers to reflect on the story’s themes or their personal experiences.
By embracing these creative approaches, authors can craft children’s picture books that are not only entertaining but also meaningful and reflective of a diverse, dynamic world.
